Will the Cabinet Secretary outline the Welsh Government’s response to the findings and recommendations in the report on the rapid review of Interim appointments to executive posts at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board published in June 2023, and the action taken to date?
The rapid review of interim appointments to executive posts at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board made 12 recommendations. Of these, five were for the Welsh Government and related to enhancing guidance for the NHS in Wales.
In April 2024, the Welsh Government issued revised guidance about governance about the use of interims for executive and senior posts, which applies to all NHS Wales organisations. This sets out clear principles for interim appointments to executive and senior posts including process, maximum contract lengths, financial values and circumstances under which Welsh Government approval is required.
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board published its management response to the review in November 2023. The latest progress update was presented to its remuneration committee on 19 August 2024. The committee’s terms of reference have also been refreshed as part of enhanced internal processes.